CORDOBA/STARNBERG, February 8, 2024
Jaume Munar secured his first Top 30 victory in nearly a year by causing an upset against top seed and hometown favorite Francisco Cerundolo on Wednesday at the Cordoba Open. In a second-round match that saw a total of 20 break points, Munar emerged victorious over the Argentine with a score of 7-5, 6-4, propelling himself into the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 clay-court event.
The 26-year-old Spaniard capitalized on four out of eight break opportunities while adeptly saving 10 out of 12 break points faced against him, thwarting Cerundolo’s efforts in front of his supportive home crowd. This victory marked Munar’s first triumph in three encounters against Cerundolo in their head-to-head meetings.
The No.1 Seed is OUT 🚨 @jamunar_38 upsets Francisco Cerundolo 7-5 6-4 to reach his 15th ATP Tour quarter-final! 🇪🇸@CordobaOpen | #CórdobaOpen pic.twitter.com/kiioCBdUHo
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 8, 2024
“It’s something I’ve been struggling [with] in the past. But I’ve learned to have a good attitude on that,” Munar said of playing Argentine opponents in front of their supportive home fans. “I remember a lot of matches here: I played Schwartzman a couple of times, I played Pella also in Buenos Aires, Delbonis, many of them. I’m getting older so I’m getting more mature and it’s something that helps to have that experience to handle the moment. But of course it’s always difficult.”
Munar will next take on Facundo Bagnis. The Argentine qualifier edged out eighth-seeded Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena 7-6(5), 6-4. Last year’s Cordoba Open runner-up Federico Coria also advanced on Wednesday with a 6-1, 6-3 victory against Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas. He will next take on his countryman Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
WEDNESDAY RESULTS
Singles – Second Round
Jaume Munar (ESP) d. (1) Francisco Cerúndolo (ARG) 7-5, 6-4.
(3) Tomás Martin Etcheverry (ARG) d. Bernabé Zapata Miralles (ESP) 7-5, 6-4.
Federico Coria (ARG) d. Albert Ramos-Viñolas (ESP) 6-1, 6-3.
(Q) Facundo Bagnis (ARG) d. (8) Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) 7-6(5), 6-4.
Doubles – First Round
(1) Máximo González (ARG) / Andrés Molteni (ARG) d. Fernando Romboli (BRA) / Marcelo Zormann Da Silva (BRA) 6-0, 7-6 (3).
(2) Sadio Doumbia (FRA) / Fabien Reboul (FRA) d. (WC) Facundo Bagnis (ARG) / Nicolás Kicker (ARG) 7-6 (5), 7-5.
(4) Nicolas Barrientos (COL) / Rafael Matos (BRA) d. Francisco Comesaña (ARG) / Thiago Seyboth Wild (BRA) 6-4, 6-4.
Victor Vlad Cornea (ROM) / Philipp Oswald (AUT) d. Guido Andreozzi (ARG) / Guillermo Durán (ARG) 7-6 (5), 7-5.
